Holly's Turn: My Writing Process

by Holly West

My esteemed colleague, Steve Weddle, asked me to participate in this meme about writing processes. He's the author of COUNTRY HARDBALL, the editor of Needle Magazine, and is, in general, someone I like a lot. So of course I said yes.

The thing is, I only recently realized I actually had writing process. It was borne of necessity, when I found myself under contract to write a novel with a deadline six months away. Given its origins were defined, at least somewhat, by sheer desperation, this process is subject to change, but for now, it seems to work.

1) What are you working on?

A standalone (with, as they say, "series potential"). The working title is NOSE DIVE and it's set in contemporary Venice Beach, featuring a female amateur sleuth who tends bar at the fictional Luca's Lounge. Luca's was inspired by the Townhouse, one of the longest "continually running" bars in Los Angeles. During prohibition, the top floor operated as a grocery store and the basement was a speakeasy; illegal shipments of beer and whiskey were smuggled into the bar through tunnels under the old Abbot Kinney Pier.

2) How does your work differ from others of its genre?

I'm not sure how to answer this question, other than to say that the themes I explore in my writing are unique to me, regardless of genre. Which isn't to say that some of the themes I'm interested in exploring aren't universal, but my take on a given subject is always going to be unique to me, and I'd say the same is true for other writers as well.

Does that make sense?

3) Why do you write what you do?

My chief goal as a writer is to entertain, and to me, crime fiction is entertaining. If I'm somehow able to engage a reader further by making them think more deeply about the human condition then so much the better, but it's never my main concern.

4) How does your writing process work?

It starts with a spark of inspiration. In the case of my current WIP, the Townhouse intrigued me because of its history as an illegal speakeasy. Something interesting could happen there, no?

From that spark, comes a whole lot of thinking. What is the story? Who is the best person to tell it? What is their backstory? Who and what do they care about? I write a short biography of my protagonist and briefer sketches of the supporting characters, along with basic timelines of their lives before my story took place.

I outline as much as I possibly can before I actually start writing. Act I--the set up and such--is easy. I usually know who the dead body is from the beginning, but figuring out exactly how he/she got that way is the hard part. My husband and I have at least one long brainstorming session to suss it out. I give him the bones of the story and then we bat ideas back and forth until something sticks for me.

Once the outline is finished, I write a synopsis, from which I try to smooth out any developmental issues in the plot. Then I write the first draft as fast as I can. If I've outlined everything in advance I can do this in 30 to 40 days. Then I do a revision, let my husband read it, then do a second revision or however many are needed to get the novel into shape.

Of course, I'm greatly oversimplifying my process. This doesn't take into consideration the many days and nights I spend fretting about not writing well enough or not writing at all. It doesn't take research into account (which includes drinking Buffalo Trace Old Fashioneds on Saturday afternoons at the Townhouse). But it gives you a glimpse of how I write a novel. It worked once, at least. I'm hoping it works again.

What's Next?

by
Scott D. Parker

This week here at Do Some Damage, we’re participating in a meme about What’s Next. Today, being Saturday, it’s my turn. While I have a really good idea of my story and all the players, I haven’t given much thought to the answers to these questions. Mainly, I think, because I’m not finished with it. And, while I think I know where it’s going—planner that I am—you never know if it might take a turn that I didn’t foresee.

What is the working title of your next book?

I don’t have one. In Scrivener, it’s “Mrs. Keene.”

Where did the idea come from?

My mother. She claims not to remember telling me the inkling of the idea, but she did. So, if this thing gets published, you know who gets the dedication. One afternoon, she mentioned how much fun it would be to have an amateur PI, an older woman, who gets a bionic eye. Now, I know she was thinking Murder, She Wrote with a Bionic Eye or the Six Million Dollar Miss Marple, but I’ve changed it some. I’ve youthed up the main character, Mrs. Helen Keene, to be, in her words, “a woman of a certain age.” Well, that’s what she told me when I asked her how old she was. She added, “Young enough to be your mother but not old enough to be your grandmother.” Point taken.

Hang on a second. Mrs. Keene is nudging me. I think she wants to speak. 

“I was trying to tell Mr. Parker here about the story, but he wasn’t listening properly, so let me tell it. One of the fun questions people sometimes ask each other is ‘If you could have any superpower, what would it be?’ Flying almost always wins. Probably from the folks who can never seem to get to work on time. Invisibility is another popular one—and I think we all know why…. Bionic eye never seems to be in the Top 10. It wasn’t for me, to be sure, but I ended up with one anyway.

Now, you might think that having a bionic eye would be fun, especially for a woman of my years. And, no, I’m still not going to tell you how old I am so stop asking. You might also think that being a part-time private investigator and being able to see things far away might come in handy. Yes, it does, and I can certainly see further than I ever could. Eventually, I learned how to toggle the night vision—and not a moment too soon. Having a bionic eye is, all things considered, pretty nifty.

The only problem was that some pretty bad people wanted the eye that was in my head. And they were willing to do anything to get it, too…”

Me: Well, there you go.

What genre does your book fall under?

Mystery. In my head, it’s a classic mystery that could land on network television and, if the mapping holds, will have some exciting bits as well.

Mrs. Keene: Exciting bits? You call what happened to me ‘exciting’? What about the time that guy…

Me: Shhh! Don’t tell them now. Let them find out later.

Mrs. Keene [eyeing me warily, the comprehension dawns on her] Oh, right. Let them be surprised.

Me: Exactly. [wink]

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

[Mrs. Keene is looking at me, eyebrow arched, arms folded, finger tapping.]

Since the story came from my mom, I know she had a certain type of character in mind. I’ve altered it slightly. Mrs. Keene, widowed and divorced (he cheated on her and he was caught, um, with his pants down) is the main character. She’s a woman who has latched onto a part-time investigating gig with a local PI firm as a way of finding some direction in her life. I’ve had strong, confident, beautiful women in mind, something along the lines of Christine Baranski or Jean Smart, maybe even Candace Bergen from Boston Legal.

[Mrs. Keene smiles at me, beaming.]

Other than her, I haven’t given many of the other characters a “face.” The PI firm is owned by a younger man, Peter Angel, who is a bit brainy, casually granola in his dress, and prefers to help people that need helping even if it doesn’t always pay well. He and Keene tend to bicker sometimes about proper procedure and expenditures. If I had to put an actor to it (which I haven’t yet but am doing do now), I’m thinking Zach Braff in Garden State or Jason Schwartzman in Rushmore.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
When Mrs. Helen Keene, part-time private investigator, inadvertently finds herself implanted with a bionic eye, she can see a whole lot of things more clearly, including the men who want the eye back, and are willing to murder to get it.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 
We’ll see. Would like to go the agency route.

How long did it take you to write the first draft?
NaNoWriMo kicked this thing in to high gear. My aim is to complete it by New Year’s Eve so that I can fulfill my one and only 2012 resolution.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I am a huge fan of Castle and like the dynamic between the two leads. The relationship between Kathy Bates and Nate Corddry from Harry’s Law is also part of the mix. The interplay between my characters (Keene and Peter Angel) keep reminding me of Cool and Lam. Even though I’ve planned it out, I’m seeing how it ends up before I make any more comparisons.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My mom gave me the idea, but I changed it to my liking. 

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
I’m hopeful that the humorous parts are funny, the thrilling parts thrilling, and the mystery interesting enough. I’ve enjoyed coming up with it, and I’m hopeful that it might be unique enough to earn some readers.

The Previous Little Thing

By Russel D Mclean

Yeah, we’re all being lazy this week.  But since I was tagged ages ago by the awesome Zoe Venditozzi and have now been retagged again in the DSD next big thing week, I figured I might as well finally answer these questions and become part of an internet meme.

It seems most people I would tag or who I would expect to respond have done so. But I invite you, freely, to take this meme and run with it. With my blessings.

So without further ado, here’s a little bit that also serves as the public airing for the potential title of the next McNee novel (release date currently uncertain so hold yer horses):

• What is the working title of your next book?
Mothers of the Disappeared

(the title was given to me by the awesome Canadian author Sandra Ruttan a few years back, although the proposed book was utterly different in form then but now the title fits better)

• Where did the idea come from for the book?
Probably the ideas shop. Ha!

No, each McNee book furthers a background story while dealing with its own central crime. In this case, I was intrigued by the idea that an apparent victim of a crime would eventually come to believe the person arrested and charged with committing it may in fact be innocent. It’s a pretty horrific crime, and the whole moral quandary that erupts felt perfect for throwing in McNee’s path as he’s dealing with some fallout from the last few books.

• What genre does your book fall under?
Romantic cosy? Science fiction adventure comedy musical tragic romance?

Or hardboiled?

Yeah, guess I’m going with hardboiled crime.

• What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Ones who show up in front of the camera and remember their lines.

I still maintain that in an ideal world the recurring villain of the McNee novels would be played by Dundee’s own brilliant Brian Cox. The rest of the cast is up for grabs, though, especially McNee.

• What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Bad shit happens, some of it to good people.
(I really can’t give away much of the plot just now - - I can’t until its in a readable form and in front of my agent and publisher’s eyes, but trust me its there and its beautifully brutal)

• Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m pretty traditional about my novels. Why? I like working with authors. Despite egomaniac ideals to the contrary, no book is actually written by one person. You need those other professional eyes on it, too.

• How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Three months. But then, writing is easy: rewriting’s where things get tricky. And long.

• What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Good ones, I hope.

I guess if you dig PI novels by guys like Ross MacDonald, Lawrence Block and George Pelecanos, but wish they wrote about Scotland, you might get a kick out of what I’m trying to do (but they’re all so much better at it than I am, except for the Scottish stuff).

• Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The promise of an advance. Even if it is a small one.

That and I love writing. Adore the process. If I hadn’t done this one, I’d have done something else.

• What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
There’s some good old fashioned violence and swearing in there, alongside some real painful emotional stuff. And since it’s the fourth act of five in an on-going story, reader’s who’ve been along with ride since THE GOOD SON should hopefully be put through the ringer. In a good way.

Oh, and if you do read this (or any of my books) you will get a warm fuzzy feeling inside from knowing that I get to eat another meal thanks to you. And doesn’t that warm your cockles and pique your interest?

Steve Weddle's NEXT BIG THING

By Steve Weddle

Yesterday, we learned of Dave White's Next Big Thing. The day before we learned what Snubnosers have cooking. Today it's my turn, thanks to the uber-talented Thomas Pluck, the force behind the LOST CHILDREN anthos.

So, my turn to say some stuff about what I'm working on. OK.

1) What is the working title of your next book?

Trimalchio in Shreveport

2) Where did the idea come from?

My psychiatrists suggested this as a form of constructive therapy. They've proven to be right on pretty much everything except the apology letter to that nice author I seem to have accidentally offended a few months ago with a blog post. Other than that, they're batting a thousand.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Your question amuses me, but I am far too cool for labels. Pestering authors about the "genre" of a novel is so gauche.

3) b) But you're just a writer, not an author.

Sod off.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

The lead is a handsome ginger in his early 30s, so maybe Robert Redford from 60 years ago. Or maybe that guy who was in Hitchhiker's Guide and The Office. I like him, but I don't think he's a ginger. Also, I do not know much about movies, but people keep talking about the Cohen brothers. I don't know what they've acted in, but maybe one of them. They seem popular.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

After a lapse in judgment nearly cost him his marketing career, Alex Jackson returns to Shreveport to help resurrect a dying strip club, prevent a political disaster that could destroy his company, and convince his high school crush that he's now boyfriend material, all while avoiding the help of his mother, who just wants "what's best" for him.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 

Whatever the agent says.


7) How long did it take you to write the first draft?

Ask me when I'm done. I got a boost from NaNoWriMo, but it's gonna be a while yet.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It's like Fletch meets The Gold Bug Variations, with some of the lighter parts of Cormac McCarthy's The Road thrown in.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Please refer to my answer to Question The Second. Also, the stubborn refusal of my insurance company to continue its coverage of pharmaceutical options.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

One reader? Seriously? Not "readers'" ? Shit.

Dave White's Next Big Thing

By Steve Weddle

So there's this NEXT BIG THING meme going around in which authors tag each other (heh) with ten questions. Since Dave White is out today and my answers are set for tomorrow, I figured I'd answer for Dave today. You're welcome, big fella. 

1) What is the working title of your next book?

RUTGERS IPA, PI

2) Where did the idea come from?

I was emailing with Sarah Weinman and Jason Pinter one night and we decided it would be neat.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Mystery/Thriller/College Romance/Craft Beer/Noir

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

I picture a young James Gandolfini (Rutgers, 83) for the lead and Calista Flockhart (Rutgers, 88) as the love interest.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When an assistant basketball coach discovers a new recipe for India Pale Ale worth killing for, his life turns into one big fast break of terror.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My first two novels, WHEN ONE MAN DIES and THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, were published by a major house and well received.I independently published WITNESS TO DEATH, my most recent novel.That one was called one of the best dozen crime novels of the year.

Whether it's independently published or one of the major offerings from a big house, I hope people enjoy reading it.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft?

Well, I've been thinking about some of the aspects of the novel for a long time. The actual sitting down and writing has been about a year so far.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It's a bit like a Spenser novel. One of the good ones.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

To be honest, it was DSD's own Steve Weddle. Hearing him go on and on about writing is kind of like seeing an eighth grader try to dunk a basketball. At some point, you just want to show the kid how it's done.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

I've created Twitter accounts for all the characters and the last page of the novel will be a recipe for the craft beer featured in the story.